SD gets 1,800 bikes to share in 2014

FILE - In this May 12, 2013 file photo, bicycles that are part of the NYC Bike Share program are lined up at a dock and lock station at the Brooklyn Navy Yards in New York. Chicago joins New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco when it launches its bike sharing program, named Divvy to represent its divide and share principle, on June 28. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File)
— AP

FILE - In this May 12, 2013 file photo, bicycles that are part of the NYC Bike Share program are lined up at a dock and lock station at the Brooklyn Navy Yards in New York. Chicago joins New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco when it launches its bike sharing program, named Divvy to represent its divide and share principle, on June 28. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File)
/ AP

DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO  A new bike-sharing program that will make at least 1,800 bicycles available for self-service use citywide will launch early next year in San Diego at no cost to taxpayers.

The City Council unanimously approved a 10-year partnership with private firm DecoBike to install between 180 and 220 bike-sharing stations throughout the city, a capital investment of about $7.2 million paid entirely by the company. Revenue would be generated through daily rentals or monthly and yearly memberships.

The deal also guarantees the city a slice of that revenue — between $1 million and $2.6 million — over the next decade.

Elyse Lowe, executive director of Move San Diego, said the program is a much-needed addition to the city’s transportation network.

“This is innovative, cool and fun,” she said. “You know it’s going to improve health. You know it’s going to reduce vehicle miles traveled and do more for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. ... Thank you so much for giving San Diegans more options to get around.”

The location of the initial stations has yet to be determined. The city and DecoBike plan to launch a campaign to get community input on the most convenient locations over the next few months with city officials making the final call. The solar-powered stations have wireless technology and don’t require utility connections so they can be easily installed nearly anywhere.

The goal is to have the stations open for business sometime between January and March of next year.

“We’re creating a new transportation system here in the city of San Diego which we haven’t done since we probably did the trolley in the ‘80s,” said Councilman David Alvarez. “So I think that’s really good. We’re creating a different culture as well in the city of San Diego.”

DecoBike has also installed bike-sharing programs in three Florida cities — Miami Beach, Surfside and Bay Harbor Island — with Miami and Long Beach, New York, coming soon. From March 2011 to December 2012, Miami Beach residents logged 1.8 million trips that totaled nearly 5.1 million miles, according to the company’s website.

What's bike-sharing been like in New York?

The bikes are equipped with LED lighting, adjustable seats and a basket large enough to carry a laptop or bag.

Colby Reese, DecoBike’s chief marketing officer, said the company would likely offer special incentives to the first 1,000 or 2,000 to sign up for the bike-sharing program to boost participation.

One potential downside for the city is that some of the stations may have to be placed where metered parking currently exists. The city estimated that the removal of 10 parking meters would reduce revenue by $21,000 per month. It’s not clear how many parking meters would need to be eliminated at this point.

Council President Todd Gloria said the positives of bike-sharing far outweigh the negatives.

“Whatever revenue we’re going to lose off of that one meter I think will be more than offset by the number of people who would choose to come to those communities on bikes as opposed to cars,” he said. “It’s a bargain. It’s worth the exchange.”